Nintendo is an amazing console. You cannot compare it with the PlayStation or the Xbox consoles because, hey, you cannot take them out anytime you want.
For consoles like the Nintendo switch having a good battery is an absolute must because you have to take the console out and play for some time while you are out. So if the battery is not good enough, it might ruin the whole on-the-go purpose of gaming.
The same goes for the joy-con controllers. Ain’t no fun if there is no charge in it.
Does Nintendo Switch controller need batteries?
Many people are having issues with their joy-con controllers. Because of the charging issue, people cannot enjoy the whole portability of the Nintendo switch.
As I have been using Nintendo Switch for a long time, I would love to help my fellow Mario lover.
So keep reading till the end to get your desired fix.
How long does the Switch controller battery last?
The switch joy-con controller battery lasts around 20 hours, but you will run out of battery when it comes to handheld mode. The switch console can only stay around 5hrs max with medium brightness.
I know it is pretty less, but at the end of the day, when it comes to a machine that you can play on the run, the Nintendo Switch is the best.
All of our consoles had to be connected to wall outlets once upon a time. Thankfully, mobile gaming is becoming mainstream. Having a dedicated gaming system like the Nintendo Switch is a significant step up from using a tablet or smartphone.
Also check our exclusive tutorial on Nintendo Switch controller not charging.
Playing with a friend is as simple as taking out the Joy-Cons. There are almost unlimited games to choose from.
There is a wide range of battery life expectations for the Nintendo Switch, depending on the specific battery type you choose to buy. According to the company, for the original Nintendo Switch, the HAC-001 battery has a battery life of 2.5 to 6.5 hours. If your product serial number begins with XAW, you have that model of Switch.
The Nintendo Switch’s detachable Joy-Con controllers have a 20-hour standby time. A complete charge on a Joy-Con takes around three and a half hours. An AC adapter or a Switch in Sleep mode must be used in order to charge the Joy-Con.
The battery of the Nintendo Switch may also take longer to charge if the hybrid console is placed in its dock, which can transmit 5V DC through a current of 2.6A for 39W. With an AC adapter, you can get as much as between 100W and 240W of electricity to speed up charging time on the Nintendo Switch, but you shouldn’t expect it to use that much power.
HAC-001(-01) batteries, on the other hand, have a 4.5 to 9-hour battery life for newer Nintendo Switch devices. Your product serial number will tell you whether or not your Switch is equipped with a high-capacity battery model. The battery life of the Nintendo Switch Lite model HDH-001 ranges from 3 to 7 hours on a single charge.
Though Later on, Nintendo Released Version 2 of the original switch for a better battery, and to be honest, it worked. The V2 version didn’t suffer the same backlash as the previous switch did. And at last, Nintendo released the OLED switch where everybody thought they would get a Switch 2 in the holiday season. But the purpose was to provide people with a much bigger and brighter screen with good battery life.
Also, check out our separate post on how long do Nintendo Switch charge last.
So yes, if you are someone new and you want to buy a switch, then always go for the Switch v2 or the OLED one also; if TV mode is not your priority, then buy a switch lite instead, then you wouldn’t have to worry about charging your joy-cons.
Many people ask, Why is my Switch charging slowly?
Because of the Nintendo Switch’s three-hour charging period, it will not be able to make use of any USB Type-C rapid charge technologies, according to the company. In contrast, the USB Type-C protocol is capable of supporting USB Power Delivery 2.0, which can transmit as much as 100W of power using a USB Type-C connection.
How to fix Nintendo Switch Controller Not Charging
There can be a lot of reasons behind this issue. So before jumping into troubleshooting, we should discuss why this is happening.
Joy-Con Controller, although being small, is surprisingly sturdy. It’s possible, though, that if it’s dropped or hit hard enough, the inside wiring might be damaged, leading to a charging issue.
When it comes to water resistance, the Nintendo Switch and its controllers are not equal to the challenge, so if any of them have come into touch with liquid or water in the past, it is possible that this is the cause of your charging problems.
Old or corrupt software might cause certain Joy-Cons to cease charging. Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con controllers may not be charging if the AC adapter, the component that you attach to a power outlet or power strip, has a problem.
Now that we know the possible reasoning behind this issue let’s get into troubleshooting.
Here are the steps to fix switch controller not charing:
1. Update the console
If your switch console is out of date and doesn’t match the software update of the Joy-Con, then it can be an issue behind your controllers not charging. So updating the console can be an easy fix.
This step also helps in fixing a water damaged Nintendo Switch.
Here are steps to update the Nintendo Switch console:
- Go to settings.
- Scroll down to System.
- Select updates.
- Download and update your console.
While the update is going on, the console will restart and after the restart, try to dock your switch to see if the controllers are charging or not.
2. Update Joy-Con controller
Joy-con controllers need to be updated to work perfectly. If there is any mismatch, then your controllers won’t charge.
Here are the steps to update your Joy-con controllers:
- Navigate to settings.
- Go to controllers and sensors.
- Select update controllers.
- Download and install the update.
After the update, dock your Nintendo switch to see if they are charing or not. If your Controllers are still not charging, then follow the next method.
Also, check out our separate post on can a Nintendo Switch be Blacklisted.
3. Reset the controller
Resetting each faulty Joy-Con controller is an easy way to fix charging problems. Simply hit the controller’s SYNC button once. Temporarily disabling it should resolve any small issues with the controller’s firmware that are keeping it from charging.
Here are the steps to reset the Nintendo controller:
- Take out the controllers from the console.
- Press the sync button.
- Connect the controllers back to the console.
- Press A to connect.
This should fix your charging issue. And if your controller is still not charging, then follow the next method.
4. Clean the controllers
No one bothers to clean their Joy- Con’s, which is a shame. Thus, dirt builds up on port surfaces until they start to interfere with the Joy-Con controllers. Resulting in connectivity issues, which is ultimately creating the charging problem.
Cleaning the Nintendo Switch at least once a week is recommended because of this. To clean the ports on your Nintendo Switch, use a cotton swab or tissue paper. Your Joy-Con should now operate properly once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the port on both sides. The Joy-Con should start charging when you re-attach them after cleaning.
On the other hand, look out for the faulty charging indicator, which shows the wrong percentage half of the time. So don’t panic if you see there is no charge at all or your charging indicator shows that the console is not charging. Just play up until the controllers are out of juice and then charge them with the console for at least 3 hours; this should fix your problem. Also, do check if the charging cable or the dock is in working condition. If your TV dock is somehow broken, then your controller won’t charge.
Check out this post to see how to fix PS5 Not Connecting To Tv.
Final Thoughts
For a handheld console, Nintendo Switch has done wonders. It is the perfect console for the people who love the portability. Minus the charging issue, it is one of the best consoles out there.
Hopefully, with this guideline, you can fix the charging issue of your controllers.
And if you still have any queries, you can always reach out to us.
